MLL to Host Championships in Boston

MLL to Host 2012 Championship Weekend in BostonHistoric Harvard Stadium will Open Gates to MLL Championships

BOSTON, Mass. (Wednesday, January 4, 2012) – Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced Wednesday it will host the 2012 MLL Championship Weekend on August 25 and 26 at the historic Harvard Stadium in Boston, Mass., according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. Harvard Stadium is the home venue of the 2011 MLL Champion Boston Cannons.

“We are pleased to bring Championship Weekend back to Boston in 2012,” said MLL Commissioner David Gross. “We have had proven event success in Boston as evidenced by past Championship Weekends and the overwhelming support of our 2011 MLL All-Star Game, which was held at Harvard Stadium.”

This will mark the fourth time Major League Lacrosse will host its championships in Boston. In 2004 and 2005 MLL hosted semi-final and championship games at Nickerson Field and in 2008 at Harvard Stadium. The MLL Championship format includes the top four ranked teams which will compete in two semi-final games on Saturday, August 25. The first semi final begins at 1:00 pm ET and the second semi final starts at 4:00 pm ET. The two winning teams will advance to the Championship Game, which will take place on Sunday, August 26 at 1:00 pm ET.

MLL recently announced its 2012 schedule, which includes two additional regular season games than in previous years. The season will commence on April 28 with 14-regular season games and will culminate with Championship Weekend on August 25 and 26. For the full schedule, click here.

The Boston Cannons are the defending MLL Champions and will try to be the first MLL team to win back-to-back Steinfeld Cups since the 2006-2007 Philadelphia Barrage.

“Following our first championship win, we couldn’t be happier to host the 2012 MLL Championship Weekend, giving us the opportunity to repeat in front of our home crowd, the best fans in Major League Lacrosse,” said Cannons General Manager Kevin Barney. “With two new teams in the league, it’s only going to get tougher to make the post-season, so every regular season game will be a battle and a great show for our fans.”

Built in 1903, Harvard Stadium is the nation’s oldest football stadium and seats over 30,000 people. It is nestled next to the Charles River with the Boston Skyline on the horizon and is ranked among the nation’s finest facilities of its kind.

Tickets for the 2012 MLL Championship Weekend are presently available through the Boston Cannons with season ticket packages. To purchase tickets, visit www.bostoncannons.com or call (617) 746-9933. Single game tickets will be available at a later date.

About Major League Lacrosse

Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Major League Lacrosse commenced play in June of 2001 and will enter its twelfth season in 2012. MLL has continued to lead the sport of lacrosse into the mainstream of competitive team sports. The league is made up of eight teams: The Boston Cannons, Charlotte Hounds, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Denver Outlaws, Hamilton Nationals, Long Island Lizards, Ohio Machine and Rochester Rattlers.

The 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft will take place on January 13, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA. The 2012 season will commence on April 28, 2012. More information about the league can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com, Facebook or Twitter.